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  2 PETER 2:22
  by John Gill
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Summary: The sermon explores the nature of sin and the irreversible
state of apostates as illustrated by the proverb in 2 Peter 2:22.

Topics: "Apostasy", "Nature of Sin"
Scripture References: Proverbs 26:11, Matthew 7:6, Luke 15:17, 2 Peter 2:22

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DESCRIPTION
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John Gill expounds on 2 Peter 2:22, illustrating the profound truth of
the proverb that likens apostates to dogs returning to their vomit and
washed sows returning to mire. He emphasizes the filthy nature of sin
and the irreclaimable state of those who turn away from the truth,
highlighting that without a change in nature, they are doomed to revert
to their former sinful ways. Gill draws parallels from Hebrew
interpretations, reinforcing the idea that such individuals are trapped
in their own defilement, unable to escape their sinful tendencies.

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CONTENT
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Ver. 22. But it is happened unto them, according to the true
proverb,.... Which is true, both in fact and in the application of it,
and which lies in the Scriptures of truth, at least the first part of
it, Pr 26:11.

The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed
to her wallowing in the mire; which expresses the filthy nature of sin,
signified by vomit, mire, and dirt, than which nothing is more
abominable and defiling; and also the just characters of these
apostates, who are filly compared to dogs and swine and likewise their
irreclaimable and irrecoverable state and condition, it being impossible
they should be otherwise, unless their natures were changed and altered.
In the Hebrew language, a "sow" is called ryzx, from the root rzx, which
signifies to "return", because that creature, as soon as it is out of
the mire and dirt, and is washed from its filthiness, naturally returns
to it again: so such apostates return to what they were before, to their
former principles and practices: in this manner the Jews explain the
proverb,

"Tobiah returns to Tobiah, as it is said, Pr 26:11; as a dog returneth
to his vomit {r}.''

{r} Vajikra Rabba, sect. 16. fol. 158. 4.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/john-gill/2-peter-222/
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